A man accused of aiming his rifle at a helicopter during a standoff with authorities near Columbia Falls last year earned eight months behind bars in federal court on Wednesday.  

Travis Kurt Myers, 57, had pleaded guilty in March to aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft during the Sept. 4, 2024 standoff. Along with the prison sentence, Myers must undergo three years of supervised release and pay a $15,000 fine. United States District Judge Dana Christensen presided over Myers’ July 30 sentencing. 

The 57-year-old also faces an ongoing felony case in Flathead County District Court related to the standoff. He pleaded not guilty in November 2024 before Judge Dan Wilson, according to court records. A pretrial conference in the case is scheduled for Sept. 9.  

The standoff began after a pair of women called 911 in the early morning hours and accused Myers of aiming a gun at them near a Sullivan Crossroad home, court documents said. He allegedly pointed the weapon in the face of one of the women and at the chest of the other before shooting at the ground at their feet. The women fled in their vehicle.  

Dispatchers received multiple calls about the gunfire about 2 a.m., including from a Daily Inter Lake delivery driver, who reported hearing shots and seeing a green laser aimed at them, court documents said.  

Arriving Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies also heard gunshots and spotted a green laser being pointed around the area. They deployed a drone, which allegedly drew fire from Myers, and called in the Northwest Montana Regional SWAT team and Two Bear Air for assistance.  

County authorities estimated that Myers fired 11 rounds after deputies arrived, including at least two allegedly aimed at the Two Bear Air helicopter. 

Documents filed in federal court indicate that cameras on the helicopter captured Myers standing outside the home and painting the rotorcraft with the laser sight, which was mounted on a gun. According to those documents, the crew was unsure if Myers fired the gun in their direction, however. 

Authorities eventually took Myers into custody with the aid of a Sheriff's Office K9 unit, officials said. A search of the property led investigators to guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition as well as an unregistered silencer and a rifle with a green laser mounted on it, according to documents filed in federal court.  

The Sheriff's Office investigated the case alongside the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].